ComplementsHSK 5
Using 来 and 去 when "verbing around"
This pattern expresses doing an action repeatedly back and forth, or in a seemingly aimless, iterative way. The same verb is repeated before 来 and 去, and single-syllable verbs are most common. Avoid using different verbs, as the pattern requires repetition of the same action verb.
Structure
Verb + 来 + Verb + 去
Examples
- 学生们都很紧张，在考场外面走来走去。Xuéshēng men dōu hěn jǐnzhāng, zài kǎochǎng wàimiàn zǒu lái zǒu qù .The students are all nervous, they are all pacing back and forth outside of the exam room.
- 他说来说去还不承认自己错了。Tā shuō lái shuō qù hái bù chéngrèn zìjǐ cuò le.He's been yakking a lot, but he still hasn't admitted that he's wrong.
- 我想来想去都想不明白，他怎么能那样对我？Wǒ xiǎng lái xiǎng qù dōu xiǎng bù míngbai, tā zěnme néng nàyàng duì wǒ?I've thought and thought about it, but I can't understand, how could you treat me like that?
- 他翻来翻去，终于找到了那双破袜子。Tā fān lái fān qù , zhōngyú zhǎodào le nà shuāng pò wàzi.He searched everywhere and finally found the pair of worn-out socks.
- 这份工作不仅是脑力活，还需要跑来跑去的！Zhè fèn gōngzuò bùjǐn shì nǎolì huó, hái xūyào pǎo lái pǎo qù de!This job isn't only mentally taxing; you also have to run around a lot!
Words that use this
- 来láito come; (used as a substitute for a more specific verb); hither (directional complement for motion toward the speaker, as in 回来); ever since (as in 自古以来); for the past (amount of time); (prefix) the coming ...; the next ... (as in 来世); (between two verbs) in order to; (after a round number) approximately; (used after 得 to indicate possibility, as in 谈得来, or after 不 to indicate impossibility, as in 吃不来)
- 去qùto go; to go to (a place); (of a time etc) last; just passed; to send; to remove; to get rid of; to reduce; to be apart from in space or time; to die (euphemism); to play (a part); (when used either before or after a verb) to go in order to do sth; (after a verb of motion indicates movement away from the speaker); (used after certain verbs to indicate detachment or separation)